A religious zealot has been traveling through all the cities of Elyria and spreading fear and a warning. A great storm is coming, one even worse than then the one that destroyed much of their land. This one will kill the rest of the land, leading to their ultimate destruction. Warning them that if nothing is done they will all perish.
Is he right? Is there anything they can do to stop the storm? Or is he spreading fear in order to create chaos or even in an attempt to bring the people together as one as they work to survive?
To get you started we wanted to give you the basics here!
If you click on the image to your right you'll find our new member guide to help you get started!
If you click the site information toggle in the banner above you'll find our plot summary and useful links!
Our goal is to be pretty chill and have fun together so we have a short character application and no word count!
So jump in and come write with us in Elyria!
Post by Cinta-fëalócë Eresse on May 29, 2015 7:39:57 GMT -5
His confidence took her back, but maybe not as much as it should have. Working so closely with soldiers in the war had made some things more...acceptable. Violence, especially intentional violence failed to rouse strong feelings as it might otherwise. If she was going to be completely honest with herself, his brashness towards the matter did little to turn her off. The truth was much the opposite. In fact, well, by the gods, it was attractive.
She wished she could reply with the plainness with which he had started. However, this was not the place for such a conversation. Any concerns about Dario had since flitted from her mind, a new worry filling the space left. Many eyes and ears scurried about the small tea shop. She came here often and knew some of them to be friends, but some where strangers. It wasn't really the roaches or insects that bothered her. Their muttering were usually unintelligible and rarely were they interesting in anything but tips on where to find the best scum and scraps. Mice and birds were a different story entirely. "A stranger in the wall is as troublesome as a stranger at the door," she muttered quietly.
She looked at Dario with a calm, firm gaze, silently pleading with him to follow her lead. Time had not taught her much about discretion but it had also not failed to teach her anything. "I hadn't realized you were a doctor." she began with a smile. "You don't need to speak to me as if I were a simple-minded waif. I know well the medicine you use: those that help your patient sleep during the more painful procedures as well as those to ease the passing of the doomed and dieing. The ingredients themselves are easy to find but the preparation takes a calm slow hand." Dario was no doctor and thus she couldn't refrain from then ading in the last measure, "It's a very noble calling, tending to the sick and desperate." Cint tried not to laugh, pleased with her own bit of ironic devilry.
Dario was quick to catch onto her game. He refrained from looking around the room, though he had a tingle on the back of his neck and an urge to peek around. However, he controlled the desire and he kept his focus on Cinta with a calm, easy half-smile on his lips as she spoke. "Well, we did just meet, it's hard to determine how simple-minded you are...or are not." He said with a chuckle and a shrug.
"But yes, that is precisely the medicine that I was speaking of. I pride myself in making my patients comfortable no matter what their ailment." Lying like this came with ease and fluidity. He was a con-artist after all, making up stories like this was his trade and he was good at it. In fact, he seemed to remember playing some type of healer at some point in the past.
"I have a calm, slow hand, but not the necessary skills in miking the ingredients that I'm sure someone of your talent would be much more proficient in. I have the coin necessary to cover the ingredients." At least he was pretty sure that he had enough, he had bought many herbs before and could not be sure on their cost. "I have plenty of time to stay in the area to wait for the medicine to be finished. I can accompany you to your workshop if you like." This last part was less in character of his 'doctor' rule and back to his true self. He would be more than willing to wait for the finished product even if it took several days, especially if it meant that he could spent more time with Cinta, and watch her work. He found that he very much wanted to watch her work in her trade. He imagined her nimble fingers pulling leaves off of small twigs and mixing them. She had such lovely hands...he wondered what else those hands could do...
He found he had lost his train of thought and had been looking down at her fingers for a little longer than normal, his gaze moved back to her face and he smiled. "I know my patients will appreciate your assistance as well."
Post by Cinta-fëalócë Eresse on Jun 17, 2015 22:15:12 GMT -5
Cint noted how quickly Dario had picked up on her little ploy. Her own coyness had felt impressive. It quickly paled in comparison to Dario's smooth transition. She was impressed. That much at least she could admit to herself.
She raised her eyebrow slightly at the comment regarding her possible ineptitude. "A little too tongue-in-cheek aren't we?" she thought. She watch as he carefully pieced together the rest of the details, playing his part as perfect as an actor before a grand crowd. Such a dramatic change, so quickly and that slight glimmer in his eyes....it almost made her think he was enjoying this.
For the countless time since they had met, Cint found herself lost in those brilliant eyes. They pierced through her as quickly as before. His smile soothed the sting and his voice slowly lulled the fear in her chest. Her heart rate raced and then slowed. Fire stung her finger then faded into a dull throb. Even though she had just met this wonderfully strange man, the whole process was becoming familiar to her. A small part in the back her mind prayed that he would do this to her a million times over. Cint quickly ignored it.
As he suggested watching her work, she immediately knew she would agree. To get to share her work with Dario would be wonderful. , Whether it was because he was genuinely interested or simply to fulfill their acting roles, mattered not. She simply wanted to be near him again.
He was staring at her hands now. Cint wondered if there was something wrong with them but decided to ask him about it later. Instead, she pulled together her thoughts and bundled them into a neat package to set aside. For now, the act must go on.
"I'm sure your patients will." she responded. ""Please do not worry about coin. I am still greatly in your debt. As for the medicine, I already have most of the ingredients collected and will start upon the preparation immediately. You are more than welcome to accompany me. However, a gentlemen such as yourself might very well have other business to attend to. In that case, you could join me at a further time. The process is long and tedious. Even if you don't begin at the start, there is much to see and learn."
Cint framed the sentence carefully. Although she desperately wanted to continue talking with Dario, she would hate to interrupt any other plans he had made.
Ah yes, this was a game that he was very good at, and did actually enjoy. Playing the part of something else, someone else, it was all very thrilling. He could literally be anyone he wanted to be at any time. And he could almost always convince others that he really was who he said he was. It was almost like an addiction, a challenge to see what kind of role he could play.
Even this was fun, pretending to be a doctor for the sake of anyone who might be listening, knowing that person he was actually speaking knew that this was not the case.
He was not sure what the cost of the ingredients required would be but he did not feel that they could be so small that they would really warrant him not paying because she owed him a 'debt'. Honestly, he felt like he had not done much. He was more than willing to accompany her right away and really had nothing at all going on at the moment. "I would love to accompany you." He said, almost too quickly.
He stood and offered her his hand. "Let us go. There is no time to waste." If he actually had patients in need of this 'medicine' then the quicker he had it the better it would be. But honestly, he was just looking forward to being truly alone with this woman and was also curious about seeing her craft.
Post by Cinta-fëalócë Eresse on Jun 25, 2015 19:55:51 GMT -5
Cint graciously accepted Dario's outstretched hand and rose from the table. The movement naturally placed her close to his side. Clutched into the small pocket of space by him felt like stepping into a warm bath after a long day's work, the warm closeness beginning at her toes and slowly enveloping her entire body in its comforting touch. Despite it being so new, this place, here at his side, felt completely familiar, as if returning from some long voyage to somewhere you belong. Unconsciously, Cint drew herself a slight bit closer next to him.
If much had been happening between the tea shop and the edge of town, it was nothing Cint had noticed. Perhaps a building had burnt to the ground as they walked past. She likely would have been as equally aware of it as she was to the ant the crawled on the building wall. Thankfully, her feet know the path to her small cottage and lead the two of them.
The country road spread out before them was quiet in the late afternoon sun. Few travelers occupied it and most of the animals had not yet begun their wandering back into the heat before dark. The scenery was actually quite breathtaking as the path began to roll, the mountain once far away now drawing close. Cint noticed almost none of it, her mind completely enveloped in the man walking beside her.
Dario followed her lead as they left the tea shop. He kept hold of her hand and they left the tea shop as well as while they walked through town. It was easier to keep her close that way as they had to move around the crowd of people. The city itself always seemed to busy, at least until nightfall when the darkness began to bring people inside. As they walked, Dario glanced down at their clasped hands. The difference between then was quite shocking. Her hand was much smaller than his and the difference in the color of their skin was quite opposite as well. Her pale skin making his tanned skin look even darker, as well as making hers look even lighter.
It was only once they left the hustle and bustle of the city that he released her hand, though he had to admit that he hesitated in doing so and found himself, once again, looking forward to their continued time together in her home. She walked in silence and he found he didn't want to disrupt the peaceful quite of the country as they made their way down the path. He looked around at the scenery, noting it's beauty and the difference between the land here and on the islands. He had traveled quite a bit in his life and had come to the conclusion long ago that the world was a beautiful place, no matter where you were.
He glanced down at Cint as they walked and once again decided that the world was indeed beautiful, no matter where you were.
Post by Cinta-fëalócë Eresse on Jun 30, 2015 19:29:16 GMT -5
The tall horizon before them bit slowly into the sun’s rays as it approached. From its devouring mouth, pinks and oranges began to spirt back out on to the pale blue sky. The more the mountain ate, the more it spilled the vibrant colors back out.
Cint stared at the scene in quiet wonder. The beauty of it all left her in awe. Yet the slightest bit of horror at the mountain’s appetite sent a shiver down her spine. She felt so small under the weight of its eye upon her. Reaching over, she tucked her hand into Dario’s once more, her eyes fixed on the far off horizon. Indeed, the world was large and she herself was always so small before it. Yet still, somehow, the gods had granted man the strength to stand before the awesome power of all that surrounded them.
She thought of Dario. His tall wide build seemed strong and hard. His demeanor reflected it. Yet it was not the strength of a crazed brute, but of the tall mountain standing before her. The way he calmly strode beside her, a slight ease to his sure-footed steps. “I will not move,” the mountain and man seemed to whisper.
Although a foreigner to Acaedia, Cint felt confident that Dario was not from this metropolistic nation. He carried a different air. Maybe she was wrong, but to her it seemed that deep roots grounded the man’s feet. She had yet to meet an Acaedian with such characteristics.
Cint tugged slightly at the hand she held. “Dario, where are you from?”
Dario smiled as Cint's hand slipped into his own once more. He didn't pull away, he had no reason in the world to do so. He squeezed her hand softly, his thumb stroking hers as they continued to walk. The setting sun was quite spectacular this evening and he would never complain about sharing it with a beautiful woman. He loved seeing the difference of the sunset behind the mountains instead of over the ocean. Each was beautiful in their own special way.
With the fading light, the heat began to grow less intense as well. He moved to wrap his arm around Cint as they walked to help keep her warm, his other hand finding hers once more. It was calming and exciting at the same time to be so close to her in the peaceful evening.
"The Toren Islands." He answered her without hesitation. He was proud of where he came from and didn't ever hesitate to tell the truth...unless it was during a con of course. "Are you originally from here? Acaedia?" He asked. She seemed a little different than most of the Acaedians he had met, but he couldn't be sure.
Post by Cinta-fëalócë Eresse on Jul 2, 2015 19:50:44 GMT -5
"No," Cint quietly breathed the reply. "Not Acaedia." Her voice cracked slightly. She wanted to tell him more; About her home, her family, the places she wanted so desperately to see again. In the greying light, bits of the woods, the sights and smells of Vanir, drifted across her senses.
She exhaled slowly and let herself feel his arm around her. His skin was warm against her own. Cint had noticed how strong Dario was. One could hardly miss the trim muscles that clothed his tall frame. So close to him though, she could feel the muscles move, flexing slightly and relaxing as they walked. There was not a securing place in the world for her to have been. Now she noticed the way his hand held her. It was so....gentle. His hand had stroked her own with the slightest bit of pressure. It was soothing, feeling him rub her skin.
Cint drew their entwined hands towards her face and gentle pressed her lips to his knuckles. It briefly drew his arm tighter around her. Placing their hands back near her waist, she sighed again and smiled. "I'm from the Vanir Kingdom but it's been a long time." She glanced up at Dario with curiosity. "I've never been to the Toren Islands. What is it like?"
Up ahead, Cint's cottage was barely coming into view. As the dark drew around them she silently hoped this conversation was just beginning.
Dario sensed some hesitation in her voice when she admitted that she was not from Acaedia. It made him curious as to why she was less than confident about this fact. He wondered what her past was and what had brought her here away from her home. But he didn't want to interrupt, and wasn't sure that, given the time they had known each other, that it was something she would be willing to share. Instead, he kept a note in the back of his mind to come back to the subject sometime in the future.
He looked down at her as she moved their hands upwards and he smiled as she kissed his knuckles. It kind of melted him. It was such an intimate action that it took him aback a little. Honestly, it was pretty bold move at this point in their 'relationship'. Not that he would ever complain about affection from a lovely young thing like Cint. It honestly was not the first time that something of a similar nature had happened to him, but usually it was because the woman was a fiery little minx who only wanted him for the night, or else it was because it had been his goal while working a mark. But this was different. This was real.
"The Islands are entirely different from here." He said, always happy to have the change to talk about home. "The air is always humid and the temperatures are always moderate. Slightly hotter in the summer and slightly cooler in the winter, but no real severe extremes. Sunny almost all the time, which is why the Toren tend to always have so much color in their skin. It really is a gorgeous place with lost of trees and vibrantly colored flowers. It's definitely worth the trip...in my opinion anyway." He said with a smile.
Post by Cinta-fëalócë Eresse on Jul 22, 2015 23:25:26 GMT -5
Cint listened intently as Dario's words formed a picture of the island in her mind. They seemed gorgeous through his viewpoint. It wasn't the words he used to describe them but how he said them that left such a deep impression.
An islander...besides the people she bought from and sold to at the market, Cint had never met someone from the islands. It was surprising, now that she thought about it, for Dario to be the first islander she had ever met. Maybe it was simply her own ignorance but it was as if his entire life was something of a mystery to her.
"Tell me more," Cint asked. "If you don't mind," she added as an afterthought.
Cint's own life revolved around the small cottage that lay a short ways up the path. In the midst of the broken foothills, the dwelling jutted straight up like a crag pine seeking sunlight. Its whitewash walls matched the gleam of the bare rock that now broke through patches of grass. A patchwork quilt of old and new thatch sagged over the top like fur on a wet dog. Off to the side lay a vigorous garden filled with an assortment of herbs, wildflowers, vegetables and other odd-end plants.
With dusk quickly dwindling, they could not have reached her cottage a moment too soon. The foothills was not the best place to be out and about after dark. However, as they got closer, a four legged shadow rose from nearby one of the rocky outcrops and began to steadily pad towards them. For a moment, Cint's heart skipped a beat.
Dario smiled as she asked to hear more about the Toren Islands. He was thinking of what else he could tell her as they walked and was about to open his mouth when noticed movement ahead of them. He soon saw the wolf as he began to move towards them and he halted their movement, moving his arm out in front of Cinta in a protective manner. His other hand moved automatically to the dagger and he pulled it out in a swift motion, holding it at the ready.
As the wolf moved closer he suddenly had a thought. "You're Vanir right?" He asked Cinta in a whisper. "Can't you speak to it?"